Catalog Description

Hours: 26 (14 lecture, 12 laboratory)
Description: Field study exploring the coastal mosaic of Point Reyes National Seashore and vicinity. Using the ecological communities present (forests, shoreline, pond and prairie), this area provides a rich biological "laboratory" to study its unique organisms and natural ecosystems, including grasslands, mudflats, forests, marshes, cliffs, beach, and dune sites. Depending on season offered, emphasis may be on wildflowers, mushrooms, owls, elk, reptiles or other life forms. This class requires the ability to hike moderate distances on uneven ground. This class will involve camping in either developed campsites or in undeveloped wilderness areas. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Describe and evaluate the impacts of humans on the environments of the Point Reyes region.
  • CSLO #2: Describe the ecological and geological principles that affect the natural ecosystems of the Point Reyes region.
  • CSLO #3: Explain the factors that have shaped the evolutionary adaptations of the organisms of the Point Reyes region.
  • CSLO #4: Accurately document and interpret ecological observations made on a field trip to the Point Reyes region.

Effective Term

Fall 2022

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

26

Outside of Class Hours

28

Total Student Learning Hours

54

Course Objectives

Course objectives are linked to items in the course content outline (parentheses)
Lecture Objectives:
1. Evaluate the factors that have affected the formation of the ecosystems of the Point Reyes region. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #5)
2. Apply ecological terminology to the description of the ecosystems of the Point Reyes region. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #4, #5)
3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #3, #4, #5)
4. Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of the Point Reyes region. (Lecture Outline #3)
5. Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on ecosystems of the Point Reyes region. (Lecture Outline #6)
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #4)
2. Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of communities in the Point Reyes region. (Laboratory/Field Outline #2, #3)
3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #2, #3, #4)
4. Identify examples of human impacts on communities of the Point Reyes region. (Laboratory/Field Outline #4, #5)
5. Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience. (Laboratory/Field Outline #6)

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Projects
            • Example: To address Course Lecture Objective #3, "Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems", students might be asked, either individually or in groups, to prepare a short oral presentation or written report or participate in a class discussion describing the major characteristics of a species of plant or animal occurring in the Point Reyes region and its role in the ecosystem. Students could be evaluated on participation, accuracy of information, attention to detail, and completeness.
          • Reports
            • Example: To address Course Lab Objective #5, "Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience", students might be asked to write a report summarizing the ecosystems visited, geological and hydrological features observed, and species encountered. Students could be evaluated based on accuracy of information, attention to detail, and completeness of summary.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", students might be asked to use a taxonomic key to correctly identify an organism. Students could be evaluated on the correctness of the answer, technique, and understanding of terminology in the key.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Laboratory
          • Lecture/Discussion

          Lab:

          1. To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", the instructor might lead the class in a demonstration of the use of a dichotomous key for a known specimen, and then guide students as they attempt the identification of an unknown specimen.
          2. To address Course Lab Objective "2, "Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of communities in the Point Reyes region", the instructor might point out such key features in the field, making comparisons to other such features observed in the field or described in the classroom. Students will then make and record their own observations and comparisons.

          Lecture:

          1. To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #4, "Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of the Point Reyes region", the instructor might present a lecture (supplemented by images and/or video) that explains the geological history of the Point Reyes region, including what tectonic plate boundaries and rock formations are present and how those have influenced the development of soils and species assemblages. Students will then make and record their own observations of geological features.
          2. To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #5, "Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on ecosystems of the Point Reyes region", the instructor might lead an in-class discussion about the historical impacts of humans on the Point Reyes region (e.g. logging, fishing, fur trapping, recreation, etc.).

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. To address Course Lecture Objective #2, students might be asked to read a handout that describes basic ecological terminology or to read the Ecology unit from the OpenStax Biology online textbook and then apply this knowledge to descriptions of observations made in the field. 2. To address Course Lecture Objective #3 and Course Lab Objective #3, students might be asked to review life history information for a Point Reyes species that is available in a field guide, handout, or a natural resource agency website and be prepared to discuss this in class.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. To address Course Lecture Objective #4 and Course Lab Objective #2, students might be asked to write and/or prepare a short oral presentation about a geologic or hydrologic feature occurring in a Point Reyes ecosystem. 2. To address Course Lab Objective #5, students might be asked to document their observations in the field in a journal, using any combination of text, sketches, photos, and/or other media.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Required Materials

          • Natural History of the Point Reyes Penninsula
            • Author: Evens, Jules
            • Publisher: University of California Press
            • Publication Date: 2008
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Pacific Coast Tree Finder
            • Author: Watts, Tom
            • Publisher: Nature Study Guild Publishers
            • Publication Date: 2004
            • Text Edition: 3rd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling
            • Author: Laws, John Muir
            • Publisher: Heyday Books
            • Publication Date: 2016
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.